Which of Kentucky's largest metros do you prefer, not prefer to live in? Why? (Louisville: transplants, how much)

[censusdata]

Obviously, Louisville would be my #1 - that's why I live here

I'd actually give some props as my 2nd choice. As much as I have bashed it in the past, it does have a few good traits. I like Lexington's downtown area - very few parking lots, has a definitive center (Triangle Park area), pretty active even after 6pm, safe residential areas immediately bordering it. If I did live in Lexington again, I would choice North Broadway south of 6th Street- supposedly a super dangerous area . There are crack houses in Philadelphia that have more murders than NorthLex.

[Gtownoe]

Originally Posted by censusdata

Obviously, Louisville would be my #1 - that's why I live here

I'd actually give some props as my 2nd choice. As much as I have bashed it in the past, it does have a few good traits. I like Lexington's downtown area - very few parking lots, has a definitive center (Triangle Park area), pretty active even after 6pm, safe residential areas immediately bordering it. If I did live in Lexington again, I would choice North Broadway south of 6th Street- supposedly a super dangerous area . There are crack houses in Philadelphia that have more murders than NorthLex.

I kinda chuckle when I hear about people saying Lexington is dangerous. I know that everything is relative...but come on...ha ha.

[tomocox]

You missed Henderson, and Henderson with its closeness to Evansville can be a comfortable place to be.

[EclecticEars]

Originally Posted by tomocox

You missed Henderson, and Henderson with its closeness to Evansville can be a comfortable place to be.

I thought about Henderson, but only about 47,000 live in Henderson County The greater bulk of the Evansville metro lives, of course, in Indiana (appx. 250,000 folks over there.) So, I opted to not list it. Plus, Henderson doesn't remotely have a metropolitan feel, I feel like I'm in a slightly larger Central City or Princeton or something when I go. It's not a criticism of the place, it's just not very big.

Slightly on topic but off from Henderson, there are other cities in Kentucky I'm sure people will ask about:
London-Corbin: Growing, has already become a micropolitan area, but Laurel County has 63,000 residents and needs 90,000+ to substantiate metropolitan status. I think it will get there in 15-20 years or so.

Madisonville: serves a labor market of 150,000+ residents, but Hopkins Co. only has 47,000 or so residents.

Paducah: if Pad. and McCracken Co. had gained as much people as it's lost over the last 40 years, it would certain be a metro. Paducah city proper has lost so much population, it may not even be a micropolitan region, anymore (correct me if I'm wrong.)

Glasgow: as BG grows, so too will Barren Co. and it will become part of the BG Metro in 10-15 years (estimate). For now, it's still waiting.

Somerset: not much more than a redneck tourist trap for people from Cincinnati and Dayton. Only 12,000 live in Somerset and only 65,000 or so in Pulaski Co.

Frankfort: Ffkt-Lawrenceburg share a micropolitan area. However, neither Lex. nor Lou. metros are growing enough to substantiate the Census Bureau to incorporate Franklin Co. into either metro area. It sure is close, though, isn't it?

Richmond: already in the Lexington MSA, although Richmond has 32,000 residents now and Madison Co. will have over 100,000 by the end of next decade, probably, so it may break off from Lex. and have its own metro area formed. Don't be surprised.

Ashland: nobody lives there anymore. Many have moved to Greenup Co., or away to Lexington or Columbus. Meanwhile, most of Huntington-Ashland MSA lives on the West Virginia side, anyway. Another "non-metropolitan metropolitan" town.

[EclecticEars]

Tallies so far:

3 - Lexington
3 - NKY
3 - BG
1 - I want something larger than Cincy or something like that
1 - I can't stand cities

[cincyUK]

look whose winning!!! (guess who i voted for)

WHO DEY

[EclecticEars]

Originally Posted by cincyUK

look whose winning!!! (guess who i voted for)

WHO DEY

Yep, there's a 90% chance I'm going up there for the day Friday. If I move back up there, I'm sure I'll see "WHO DEY" on every block (okay, not really, I know...but it's still Bengals country.)

[The Village Idiot]

I voted for Northern Kentucky, but a few years ago I would have voted for either Lexington or Louisville. My family used to visit Cincinnati twice a year (we'd go to a Reds game in the summer and usually do some Christmas shopping right after Thanksgiving). At the time, northern Kentucky was just the place we passed through to get to Cincinnati. After I graduated from college, I lived in Boone County for a year and my perception of the area changed. I came to appreciate having fairly easy access to Cincinnati while at the same time being able to live in an area that wasn't completely overdeveloped. Plus, I really like Skyline Chili and Penn Station.

Louisville and Lexington aren't too far behind, but I like northern Kentucky a little better. I will say that Bowling Green was better than I expected.

[censusdata]

I went to NKy yesterday to view some of Covington & Newport's historic areas and walk across the Purple People Bridge... here are some observations

It was really nice yesterday, so I was surprised how few people I saw out jogging or walking their dogs up there. Cinci's waterfront park was practically vacant. Louisville's waterfront park is always bustling. And I didn't see anyone biking up there - here biking is huge, especially during nice weather.

NKY is just to Northern culturally for me. If you say hi to someone when your walking they just give you a dirty look and keep walking. They're not overly mean, but they're not that friendly either.

I was really surprised how few young people or young professionals I saw in Downtown Cinci or areas just across the river. I only counted TWO. By comparison, I probably saw 15 driving from the interstate to my apartment (1 mile) near Downtown Louisville.

The urban neighborhoods up there are nicely kept, but really cramped together, it reminds me of visiting Pittsburgh. The streets are very narrow and don't seem to go anywhere. I got more confused driving up there than a deaf man at a bingo game

I got several questions (where ya from?) and looks for my strong rural KY accent. That hasn't happened once in Louisville since I lived here (5 years)

[InLondon]

Without a doubt I would say Lexington. It's still unique and different because of the horse industry being so popular there. No where else in America has what Lexington has.